Ionia County Police & Fire Blotter

IONIA — A 22-year-old man from Ionia spent some time in jail this weekend after he allegedly passed out in his car in the Burger King drive-thru lane.

According to Deputy Director John Odette of the Ionia Department of Public Safety, the man was "highly intoxicated" and lost consciousness in his vehicle around 4:30 a.m. Sunday while waiting for his food. After officers roused him, he was arrested for operating while intoxicated with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) of .17 or higher. He was lodged at the Ionia County Jail, and is out on bond while awaiting arraignment.

By Michigan statute, the legal BAC for a driver operating a motor vehicle is .08. Penalties are enhanced for those operating a vehicle with a BAC of .17 or higher. If charged and convicted under Michigan's "Super Drunk Law," the driver could face up to 180 days in jail, plus fines and costs, community service, points, license suspension and mandatory completion of an alcohol treatment program.

Resident improves care, gets to keep dog

IONIA — The Ionia resident who was given four weeks by police to take better care of her dog or face animal cruelty charges reportedly has done what she was told.

An officer from the Ionia Department of Public Safety responded March 29 to a complaint by a neighbor that a mixed-breed Jack Russell terrier was left out all winter without shelter and was not being adequately fed. The dog's owner had told police that she couldn't afford to feed the dog or take it to the veterinarian.

IDPS Deputy Director John Odette said the dog has been examined by a vet, given its rabies and other vaccinations, and also has been licensed.

"This is a case of a person choosing to do what they needed to do," Odette said. "The vet said the dog is in good health."

Vehicle burns two days in a row

HUBBARDSTON — The Ionia County Sheriff's Office and Hubbardston Fire Department were called to the scene of a vehicle fire around 1:25 p.m. Sunday.

The vehicle, a mini-van, was in the front yard of a home on Hayes Road between Hogan and Schaffer roads in North Plains Township when the fire started, said ICSO Lieutenant Roger VanderMolen. The owner told deputies that the car had "exploded" Saturday night, but that he had extinguished the fire himself. Apparently a spot remained smoldering and reignited Sunday, VanderMolen said.

Jim Valentine of Central Dispatch said the vehicle reportedly was about 20 feet from a propane tank on the property and 10 feet from the road when it caught fire. Hayes Road was shut down to traffic until emergency personnel put the fire out a little after 2 p.m.

No one was injured, VanderMolen said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Also assisting with the incident were the Michigan State Police and Central Dispatch.